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| The Physical Examination |
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Routine physical exams are just as important for your pet as they are for you. Cats and dogs age approximately 7 years for each one of our human years. Therefore, pets may experience significant health changes in just a few months. Below are a few common questions asked concerning routine veterinary examinations. |
| What does the veterinarian look
for when performing a physical examination?
Firstly, your pet is weighed and the body temperature is taken. The doctor will assess your pet's general overall health and appearance. The eyes, mouth, ears, coat and skin are checked for abnormalites. The doctor will then listen to your pets heart and lungs and palpate the abdomen for abnormally sized organs or presence of masses or lumps. The doctor will also ask you about any changes you may have noticed. For example: Does your pet drink more water than he used to, or does he seem less tolerant of exercise? Has there been any diarrhea, vomiting or loss of appetite? With the physical
findings and the information you provide, the doctor will then determine
if a problem is present or suspected. If a problem is detected, laboratory
tests or x-rays may then be recommended to determine a proper diagnosis.
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| Why are tests needed
to diagnose a problem?
Just like people,
dogs and cats have internal organs that can be monitored with bloodwork
or other tests. Unlike people, pets cannot tell us how they feel or where
it hurts. For this reason, tests are often required to diagnose a problem
in your pet.
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| Why does my pet need a physical
exam before her vaccinations? She's perfectly healthy and I just want the
shots to keep her that way.
Before
a pet is vaccinated the body temperature should be monitored and a complete
physical examination performed.Your pet's veterinarian is expertly trained
to detect subtle problems that you may not notice. If a pet is vaccinated
while harboring an unnoticed illness, serious complications could result.
Also, most pet's annual vaccination visit is the only trip they make to
the veterinarian. Annual examination aids in early detection of potential
health problems. Addressing health problems early may significantly affect
your pet's quality of life and add years to your time together
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